Course Title: PANRE Review Course
Price: $599
Duration: 12 Months of Access
Deliverables: 100 Hours of AAPA Category 1 CME Credit and 1,000+ Practice Questions
Physician Assistants reaching the end of their 10-year certification cycle must choose between the traditional PANRE and the longitudinal PANRE-LA. Both paths require a mastery of the NCCPA Blueprint and a commitment to maintaining core medical knowledge. Choosing the right strategy depends on your learning style, clinical schedule, and desire for immediate vs. incremental results.
The Traditional PANRE: The Single-Day Sprint
The traditional PANRE is a high-stakes, single-day exam administered at Pearson VUE testing centers. It is a closed-book examination designed to assess your broad knowledge across multiple medical specialties.
- Format: 240 multiple-choice questions.
- Location: Pearson VUE center.
- Time: Five hours including breaks.
- Timing: Eligible during years 9 and 10 of the certification cycle.
- Scoring: Scale of 200–800, with a passing score of 379.
This option is often preferred by PAs who want to "get it over with" in one sitting. However, the pressure of a timed, closed-book exam requires rigorous preparation. Our PANRE Review Course provides the structured content necessary to refresh knowledge in areas outside your current daily practice.
The PANRE-LA: The Longitudinal Marathon
The PANRE-LA (Longitudinal Assessment) is a newer alternative that distributes the assessment over three years. This format allows you to answer questions in a low-pressure environment, often from home or your office.
- Format: 25 questions per quarter for 12 quarters (years 7-9).
- Location: Online, any location.
- Time: 5 minutes per question.
- Timing: Application window opens in year 6.
- Resources: Open-book. You can use clinical resources during the assessment.
While the PANRE-LA is open-book, the five-minute time limit per question prevents you from researching every topic from scratch. You must have a foundational understanding of the NCCPA Blueprint to navigate the questions efficiently.
Comparing the Two Paths
The primary difference lies in the pressure and the timeframe. The PANRE-LA allows for "remediation" in real-time; you only need to pass 8 out of 12 quarters. If you fail to meet the passing standard in the PANRE-LA, you still have the option to take the traditional PANRE in your 10th year.
Regardless of the path you choose, the content standards remain the same. The NCCPA ensures that both assessments cover the same core medical knowledge. Utilizing a comprehensive PANRE Review ensures you are prepared for the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and GI questions that appear frequently in both formats.
Leveraging Your CME Budget with Gift Card Add-Ons
Maximizing your employer-provided CME budget is a critical part of your recertification strategy. We offer an efficient way to utilize these funds by combining high-quality education with practical tools for your practice.
Our CME packages allow you to add a $100 to $1500 Amazon or Apple Gift Card to your purchase. This allows you to purchase necessary medical equipment, reference books, or technology to further enrich your clinical education.
Explore our CME with Gift Card options to see how you can get the most value out of your professional development funds.
Clinical Assessment: Practice Questions
The following scenarios are designed to reflect the type of core medical knowledge required for both the PANRE and PANRE-LA.
Scenario 1
Your patient is a 45-year-old female presenting with a 2-day history of sharp, pleuritic chest pain that improves when she leans forward. Physical examination reveals a pericardial friction rub heard best at the left lower sternal border. Her EKG shows diffuse ST-segment elevation and PR-segment depression.
What is the most appropriate first-line treatment for this patient?
A. Intravenous Heparin
B. Oral Colchicine and Ibuprofen
C. Emergent Cardiac Catheterization
D. Broad-spectrum Antibiotics
Correct Answer: B. Oral Colchicine and Ibuprofen
Explanation: This patient presents with classic signs of acute pericarditis (pleuritic chest pain, friction rub, and diffuse ST-elevation). The combination of NSAIDs (such as Ibuprofen) and Colchicine is the standard first-line therapy to reduce inflammation and prevent recurrence. Heparin is contraindicated if there is a risk of hemorrhagic effusion, and cardiac catheterization is indicated for MI, not pericarditis.
Scenario 2
Your patient is a 62-year-old male with a history of hypertension and tobacco use who presents with sudden, painless monocular vision loss in the right eye. Upon funduscopic examination, you observe a "pale retina with a cherry-red spot at the fovea."
What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
B. Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma
C. Central Retinal Artery Occlusion
D. Retinal Detachment
Correct Answer: C. Central Retinal Artery Occlusion
Explanation: The "cherry-red spot" on a pale retina is pathognomonic for Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO). This is a vascular emergency requiring immediate ophthalmic consultation. Central Retinal Vein Occlusion would typically show "blood and thunder" (diffuse hemorrhages), and glaucoma would present with a painful, red eye and increased intraocular pressure.
Why Choose the PANRE Review Course?
Our PANRE Review Course was written by physician assistants specifically for physician assistants. It focuses on the high-yield topics defined by the NCCPA to ensure you are not wasting time on low-probability content.
If you are a Nurse Practitioner or Physician, you can also find significant value in our modules. While the 100 hours of AAPA Category 1 Credit specifically applies to the PANRE Review, NPs can claim credit in many states, and Physicians can use the content for Category 2 CME.
Additionally, if you need to focus specifically on medication management, our Pharmacology Course provides dedicated AAPA Category 1 Credit in Pharmacology, which is essential for maintaining state prescribing privileges.
Final Strategy Recommendations
If you are currently in year 6 of your cycle, apply for the PANRE-LA. The lower stress environment and open-book format are advantageous. If you are already in year 9 or 10, or if you prefer the traditional testing environment, focus your efforts on a high-yield PANRE Review.
Ensure you have access to a question bank that mirrors the actual exam interface and difficulty. Our course provides over 1,000 questions to ensure you are ready for either path.
Summary of Offerings:
- PANRE Review Course: 100 Hours AAPA Category 1 Credit.
- Pharmacology Course: Category 1 AAPA Credit in Pharmacology.
- CME Gift Cards: $100 – $1500 add-ons available for Amazon and Apple.
- Content Expertise: Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Orthopedics, OB/GYN, and more.
Invest in your career and your education today. Use your CME money efficiently and pass your boards with confidence.